Association of Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphism with Type 2 Diabetes in the Northern Region of Saudi Arabian Population

Background: Vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms are associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), However, its association with type 2 diabetes mellitus) is controversial and has not been established in different ethnic populations. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the possible association between VDR gene polymorphisms (Fok1, Bsm1, and Taq1and Apa1) and T2DM patients in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: 100 patients with T2DM and 100 healthy age-matched control subjects were enrolled. Fasting blood glucose, lipids profile and HbA1c were measured by autoanalyzer. The circulatory level of 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was measured by immunochemiluminance. VDR gene polymorphisms detection has been done by polymerase chain reaction through restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method.

Results: Our study has shown lower levels of 25(OH) D in patients with T2DM (in comparison with control subjects (44.65 ± 7.19), p < 0.00. There were statistically significant differences between patients with type 2 diabetes and controls regarding the distribution of FokI and Taq1 genotypes and alleles (p<0.004 and p<0.04) and nonsignificant differences regarding Bsm1genotpes and allele.

Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in T2DM patients in Saudi Arabia. An association was found between VDR FokI and Taq1 gene polymorphism and susceptibility to T2DM in Saudi Arabian patients.